Pakistan: JuD chief Hafiz Saeed’s house arrest extended for two more months

The government on January 30 had put Saeed and the four leaders under house arrest in Lahore for their alleged involvement in activities prejudicial to peace and security.

The Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief and his four close aides – Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain – had been placed under house arrest on January 31 for three months under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997. Afterwards, their house arrest was extended for another 90 days.

This time Saeed’s house arrest has been extended under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order.

In a notification issued on July 28, the Punjab Government Home Department said on the recommendation of the federal interior ministry the detention of the activist – Saeed – has been extended for another 60 days. It said Saeed and others’ detention expired on July 27.

As per DawnNews, the notification reads that the Counter Terrorism Department has reported that “keeping in view the expected release of the said activist and other leaders of the said organisation, workers of the organisation have planned to spread chaos in the country.”

The notification is signed by Punjab Additional Chief Secretary (Home) retired Major Azam Suleman.

It further reads that “on release, he (Saeed) is likely to glorify his activities for the said organisation and continuation of his activities are likely to create unrest in public.”